How Ewing Sarcoma Is Treated And Managed
One of the many rare types of cancer is Ewing sarcoma, which begins in either the bones or the soft tissue surrounding the bones. While Ewing sarcoma can occur within any bone, it most frequently starts in the long bones found in the arms, legs, or pelvis. It's less common for this cancer to begin in soft tissue, but still possible. Ewig sarcoma can occur no matter an individual's age, but it's more commonly found in young adults and teenagers. Over the past few decades, there have been quite a few advancements in the ways Ewing sarcoma is treated. These significantly improve quality of life and life expectancy for patients. There's no known way to prevent Ewing sarcoma, and no causes for the disease are currently known.
Surgical Intervention
One of the many available treatment methods for Ewing sarcoma is surgical intervention. The main goal of surgery for cancer treatment is to remove all of the cancer cells, or at least as many as possible. Removing cancer cells can lead to remission and slow the spread of the disease, or stop the disease entirely. There are other surgical procedures associated with Ewing sarcoma as well. Depending on the circumstances, a surgeon might perform an operation to minimize a patient's disability and maintain the function of their affected limb or limbs. Surgeries might involve the removal of a small piece of bone, or in more severe cases, the removal of a limb.
Read more now to reveal other treatments for Ewing sarcoma.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the first treatment most medical professionals will recommend. It's a standard treatment for many types of cancer, and Ewing sarcoma is no different. If a patient is planning to have surgery to treat their cancer, doctors still recommend chemotherapy before the surgery, as it can shrink tumors, making removal easier. Chemotherapy prevents the growth of cancer cells by either stopping the cells from dividing or destroying them entirely. The reason chemotherapy works so well is because it affects cancer cells throughout the entire body, rather than just at the site of the original tumor, which can help keep cancer from spreading further. Chemotherapy medicines are often administered combined, so patients take several medications at once rather than just one.
Get the details on another popular treatment for Ewing sarcoma now.
Radiotherapy
Another line of treatment is radiotherapy, which is accomplished through the use of high-energy beams like protons and X-rays and helps kill the cancer cells. Radiotherapy may be recommended immediately after surgery if there are any remaining cancer cells that need killing. In some cases, this treatment might be used as an alternative to surgery. Ewing sarcoma may sometimes be located in a place where it's not possible to operate, or surgery might have unacceptable outcomes for the body's ability to function. When this occurs, a doctor will recommend radiotherapy to target the sarcoma. Ewing sarcoma also causes a fair amount of pain, which radiotherapy can help relieve.
Continue reading to discover more ways to treat Ewing sarcoma effectively.
Amputation
Amputation is the most extreme surgical option for Ewing sarcoma. Before more techniques were developed, the main treatment method for Ewing sarcoma was to amputate whatever limb was affected. Research indicates this cured roughly one in every five patients. When chemotherapy is used before surgery, it's now possible to preserve the limbs in more than seventy percent of patients. Doctors will typically focus on preserving the limb with as much function as possible.
In most cases where a doctor had to amputate, the patient was dealing with a recurrence of Ewing sarcoma. The first diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma will typically be treated with a combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and limb-preserving surgery. If the cancer spreads beyond the affected limb, a doctor may not recommend amputation. When amputating would not feasibly cause a patient to be cured, it's not generally pursued as a treatment option unless absolutely necessary.
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Talk To A Therapist
One important option for patients with Ewing sarcoma is to talk to a therapist. Multiple types of therapy may be incorporated into a treatment plan. Many of the new treatment methods today have been introduced through clinical trials, and patients can discuss these options with their medical team. It's important a wide variety of medical professionals treats Ewing sarcoma. Patients should consult with experts in chemotherapy and radiotherapy. If surgery is being considered, patients should discuss options with both their primary doctor and their surgeon. An oncologist should oversee a patient's cancer treatment. Others may be part of the treatment process depending on the circumstances surrounding each case. Of course, as mentioned, it is crucial for patients experiencing mental health struggles because of the cancer to schedule an appointment with a mental health therapist. Depression and anxiety are both common in cancer patients.